Recent Posts sidebar always?

[OrangePulp]

Any chance we can get the recent posts sidebar to be around all the time, as opposed to just on the front page? I realize that you can also go to New Posts at the top, but I liked the convenience of the sidebar while browsing the forums, like we had at EvAv.

[OldeWolf]

I second that.

[TheKeck]

I third that, and put a neon sign up around it.

Edit: Especially because the new posts link doesn't really work how I'd like it to. If I post in a thread, it doesn't show up there for me unless somebody else posts! :(

[Heretic Machine]

Put me down in favor of this.

[TheKeck]

Put me down in favor of this.

Scribble scribble scribble.

All right, duly noted. ;)

[Matthias]

I too would like the sidebar to be always present- it's how I do the majority of my forum surfing, and I keep confusing myself when i instinctively move the the left side of the page...

[Shadowstorm]

I fourth this notion.

[Alkanos]

This is one of the things I really miss from EvAv.

[TheKeck]

So, any word from the people that make things happen around here if this on the roadmap?

[diablopath]

It's pretty simple to do.
I imagine fits/whoever actually is the webmaster knows how, it's just a process that may/may not be annoying >.>

[fitbabits]

We're working on many things. This may be one of them!

[Slack3r78]

I third that, and put a neon sign up around it.

Edit: Especially because the new posts link doesn't really work how I'd like it to. If I post in a thread, it doesn't show up there for me unless somebody else posts! :(
Isn't that what UserCP is for? :p

[jeffbax]

Can it be optional? I actually couldn't stand the sidebar at EvAv... its redundant in light of "get new posts"

[pomeroy]

I third that, and put a neon sign up around it.

Edit: Especially because the new posts link doesn't really work how I'd like it to. If I post in a thread, it doesn't show up there for me unless somebody else posts! :(

And that's a problem? Or are you just wanting to read what you've just typed?

[TheKeck]

And that's a problem? Or are you just wanting to read what you've just typed?
Sometimes I want to go back and check on a thread I've recently responded to. It throws me off. I just really liked how the recent posts side bar worked. It you could adjust the number of posts that showed up there, and I could set it to 20 or 30, I would be in heaven. :)

[TheKeck]

Isn't that what UserCP is for? :p
NO! That's what the recent post side bar is for! :p User CP? :confused:

[TheKeck]

I think some people would still really like this. ;) :D

[quidmonkey]

Sometimes I want to go back and check on a thread I've recently responded to. It throws me off. I just really liked how the recent posts side bar worked. It you could adjust the number of posts that showed up there, and I could set it to 20 or 30, I would be in heaven. :)

I'd like this, too. I'd also like a recent Blog posts sidebar.

[Grifter]

Put my vote in for this.

[NoName]

Noooo, down with the recent posts sidebar!

(I'm actually indifferent. I've gotten used to the new posts link)

[quidmonkey]

Can it be optional? I actually couldn't stand the sidebar at EvAv... its redundant in light of "get new posts"

This. Make it an Option, along with total posts shown and blog posts.

[Slack3r78]

I'd imagine that not having it reduces server load a fair amount.

[MagGnome]

I'm totally opposed to this.

I'm on this site enough as is; I don't need even more threads within such easy reach. :p

[cawblen]

this is definitely a necessity!

[Wraith]

I think the reason it may not be on the forum pages is due to the fixed-width layout. Pages are in a table/div/whatever that's about 960 pixels wide.

When you add up the width of the user profile on the left of every post, plus what large images get shrunk down to (image below added just for reference), there really isn't room for the sidebar, unless it expanded outside of the main layout. It could go in the black on the left or right, but then there are other things to consider.

I think the recent posts box was handy, but I don't know that it's critical. If there's a good way to fit it into the current design, without pushing things around, then great.

http://www.colonyofgamers.com/images/sitegfx/cog_header.jpg

[civil]

Yes please.

Pretty please.

[civil]

BTW, the New Posts thing sucks dick because, unless I'm even more stupid than I thought, threads you post in don't show up. I'm going to test this right...now.

[Wraith]

A thread you've recently viewed (or posted in) drops out of the New Posts page until it gets a new post. At least that's what I've gotten from it.

From the FAQ (http://www.colonyofgamers.com/cogforums/faq.php?faq=vb3_board_usage#faq_vb3_new_posts):

How can I see the latest posts?

There are two ways to quickly view recently created or updated threads.

If you are not logged in, the 'today's posts' link will show a list of all threads that have been created or updated in the last 24 hours.

If you are logged in, the 'Today's Posts' link will change to 'New Posts', which gives you a listing of all threads that have been created or updated since your last visit.

The administrator can also set up the forums so that each thread you read is marked in the database. If this option is set, then new threads (or threads with new posts) will not be marked as read until you have actually read them.

There is a built-in time limit to this, however, that will automatically mark all threads as 'read' after a set number of day, whether you really have read them or not. The default setting is 10 days, but the administrator could make this higher or lower.

[Variable Gear]

I'd like it as an option, but not a forum-wide change.

[jeffbax]

BTW, the New Posts thing sucks dick because, unless I'm even more stupid than I thought, threads you post in don't show up. I'm going to test this right...now.

You are completely wrong regarding how it works. Threads that have changed since you've last looked or posted in them are what gets shown. It is infinitely more useful than the waste of space sidebar.

[DarkDay]

Not sure what it all means, but hey, popular vote right? Im in, if its what I think it is.

[rinichanraar]

I'm pretty neutral about this. I missed it for a while at first, but lately I've gotten used to the "New Posts" area. I agree with making it an option but not a forum-wide change.

[Arphahat]

The way I handle this is I used the New Posts to scan for new topics I might be interested in. Once I find something worthwhile, I include it on my "User CP" page.

In my settings, I have it set to automatically subscribe to any topic I post in, and I frequently will use the subscribe option on threads that interest me but I have nothing to contribute to at that time. Then, you have a concise, custom latest post list available to you in "User CP".

Different than the sidebar we were accustomed to, but once I got used to it, I liked this way of tracking posts better.

[roboninja]

I'm pretty neutral about this. I missed it for a while at first, but lately I've gotten used to the "New Posts" area. I agree with making it an option but not a forum-wide change.

These are pretty much my thoughts as well. I wanted the sidebar back initially, but now that I have gotten used to the New Posts link, I think it works even better than the sidebar.

[fitbabits]

BTW, thread subscriptions are turned OFF by default. If you want to turn them on, go to User CP -> Edit Options. Look for the section titled Default Thread Subscription Mode and set it to "no email notification." That way you'll be able to see the threads you've posted in more easily using the New Posts button and you won't get emailed every time someone replies.

[Voodoo]

The problem with a recent posts sidebar with the current layout of this site is that it would squish the forums... The site layout would have to be made slightly wider than is present, I believe.

I see Wraith also said the same before me. :)

[fitbabits]

The problem with a recent posts sidebar with the current layout of this site is that it would squish the forums... The site layout would have to be made slightly wider than is present, I believe.
[off topic]Your avatar reminds me of the cover to either Dimension Hatross or Nothingface by Voivod.[/off topic]

[Voodoo]

[off topic]Your avatar reminds me of the cover to either Dimension Hatross or Nothingface by Voivod.[/off topic]

It's Mumm-Ra the Everliving.

umU8vKRNnRw

[fitbabits]

It's Mumm-Ra the Everliving.

ERQV_wQqWBA
Huh! I much prefer the Voivod theory:

/3hhP9ZGHTEQ

[Wraith]

In my settings, I have it set to automatically subscribe to any topic I post in, and I frequently will use the subscribe option on threads that interest me but I have nothing to contribute to at that time. Then, you have a concise, custom latest post list available to you in "User CP".I've been doing this for quite a while (at least on EvAv and CoG). Makes it super-easy to come back to threads I was active in.

And if there's a thread I posted in, but no longer care about, I just unsubscribe so it's off my subscription list.

[Kagger]

I really wish to see it return. I haven't adjusted :(